Lady Evelyn's Needlework Collection

Mary-Dick Digges, et al; copyright 1988

Main Topic: History

Skill Level: n/a

Reviewed by: D. Bishop

Imagine four close friends traveling to a castle in Scotland for the purpose of documenting an extensive needlework collection. This is exactly what the authors of Lady Evelyn’s Needlework Collection did. They established an office in the basement of Blair Castle in Perthshire to study, photograph, and catalog. The result is an illustrated catalog of the entire collection with instructions for four contemporary adaptations.

Exquisite it is! Lady Evelyn was an avid collector as well as a needle artist who spent her life trying to achieve perfection with her skills. Her “masterpiece” is the British Arms. There is a history of her life complete with mystery, war, theft and recovery and family woes. And like all true needle artists and collectors, she often went hungry to feed her habit.

The four embroideries for you to stitch include a Floral Pulled Thread Study, a Blue and White Study, a Drawn Thread Sampler, and a Boudoir Pillow. Perhaps there is a group of us interested in trying one of these embroideries. Better yet, does any one know of another castle/needlework collection in Scotland?

A Gallery of American Samplers: The Theodore H. Kapnek Collection

Glee F. Krueger; copyright 1978

Main Topic: Samplers, history

Skill Level: n/a

Reviewed by: K. DeSantis

This anthology of American Samplers is signed by the author.

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the history of samplers. The lengthy introduction provides much background information including definitions of a sampler, naming some of the American Needlework Schools and Teachers in the 18th and 19th centuries, physical characteristics of samplers, and the sources for some of the sampler designs.

The Gallery section (66 pages!) provides excellent photographs (mostly in color) of various samplers, including some very clear close-ups of some of the stitches used. Narrative along with each photograph helps to give some historical background to each one including any information available about the stitcher and stitches used in the sampler.

Wildflower Embroidery

Annette Rich; copyright 1995

Main Technique: Brazilian Embroidery

Skill Level: Intermediate

Reviewed by: L. Sprouls

This is a good reference book for embellishing with flower designs. There are plenty of full color examples of flowers. The flowers are native to Australian, but the designs can be applied to similar flowers in the USA. Although some of the references are Australian and may be unfamiliar, the directions are generally clear and easy to follow. All the designs are worked in rayon threads, and color references are given for the threads. There is an excellent stitch index in the back of the book. Each flower is clearly described, and the directions are indicated on a chart that includes the thread color, the name of the stitch, and the appropriate needle. Directions and patterns for several small projects are in the last section. After constructing the projects, they can be enhanced with the wildflower designs. If you are looking for some examples of embellishing with flowers, this would be a good book.

From the publisher: Brilliant colors and exciting three-dimensional stitches create an entire meadowful of vivid wildflowers. Stitch bluebells, nubby yellow wattles, bold red Sturt Desert peas, feathery bottlebrush flowers, and other blooms. Combine them all in an exquisite basket of flowers picture. Make a set of place mats, a pretty pink silk bag, and a handy sewing-supply caddy. 104 pages (12 in color), 47 b/w illus., 8 1/2 X 10 1/4.